Cattle still roam the rugged ranchlands of Llano County, and their equally rugged caretakers remain quite busy regardless of the coronavirus pandemic.
However, uncertainty created by the virus has led to a challenging market environment for the county’s ranchers.
“There’s a lot of volatility in the market right now,” said Jamie Osbourn, Llano County Extension Agent.
Ranchers are dealing with fluctuating prices that can change from one day to the next, like Texas weather.
“Lower prices are having an impact, and it can depend on if you get lucky at the market that day,” Osbourn said. “They do their best to look at the market reports so they can judge the best time to take their cattle to market.”
Osbourn said that he’s seeing ranchers unloading cattle now because market forecasts indicate that selling before May is an optimum time.
“Once all this relaxes, I think there will be a flood of cattle going to auction,” he said.
There’s no shortage of working ranches in Llano County
At the last census there were around 740 producers, but Osbourn estimates that now it’s between 750-800.
“Cattle is the biggest commodity in Llano County; but as land gets broken up into smaller parcels, sheep and goats are growing in popularity,” he said.
Llano County is not known as a haven for farming but some hay, winter wheat and oats are grown.
‘Minor
inconveniences’
“Our ranchers are impacted like everyone else,” Osbourn said. “They’re worried about their families and their community. They want to do their part to make it better.”
However, the inherent nature of ranchers—and ranching--is what’s helping them endure the tough times.
“They’re already caring people because their whole life is about caring for animals,” Osbourn said.
He’s been seeing ranchers helping out by supporting local businesses.
“It’s neat to see people helping people.”
Ranchers also are helping out by buying the fat calves that kids in the Future Farmers of America were going to show. The cancellation of several large livestock shows created an unusual situation for FFA kids.
“These ranchers are helping these FFA kids and families in need, so it’s just part of people helping people,” he said. “FFA kids are donating part of the meat from their animals to food pantries or to families they know to be in need.”
One thing that’s not an issue for ranchers is social distancing.
“Out here on 500-1000 acres of ranch you’re already social distancing, so it’s not a drastic change,” Osbourn said. “Ranchers work by themselves a lot anyway.”
One difference that Osbourn has noticed is that folks can’t just mosey on into their favorite feed and seed anymore.
“You’re not supposed to get out so you have to call and place your order and they put it in your truck,” he said. “Minor inconveniences.”
Osbourn said that some ranchers have managed well during the coronavirus times, but others might need help.
“Ranchers aren’t going to ask for help because they’re independent and hard-headed. If they run short on food, they have something out in the pasture.”
The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension offers a course on the CARES Act that explains in part how agribusiness professionals can benefit from the federal relief program.
